Physics Concept Tests
Conservation of Energy
& Work-Energy Theorem
(question answers are in the speaker notes)
If the value for gravity is not given,
then assume g=10 ms-2 The following slides
were created or
modified through a
collaboration of the
Industry Initiatives in
Science and Math
Education (IISME) and
Stanford University
A ball rolls down a hill and comes to a
stop. Which statement best describes this?
a)
b)
c)
d)
the energy is gone
the ball used up its energy
both (a) and (b)
none of the above
Maryam pulls on a
pendulum and then lets
it swing from one side to
the other. Which of the
following is true?
a)
b)
c)
d)
energy was made and then used up
energy was lost
energy was not used up or lost
both (a) and (b)
Jessica lifts a book to the
top of the table. Which
statement best describes
this action?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
It took energy to lift the book
The book did not gain any energy
The book has more energy than when it started
both (a) & (b)
both (a) & (c)
Guillermo's skateboard
starts at rest and then he
kicks. It rolls & then stops
at the top of a hill. Which
statement best describes
his skateboard?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
It took energy to get his skateboard up the hill.
His skateboard did not gain energy
His skateboard has more energy than when it started
both (a) & (b)
both (a) & (c)
Which ball required the most work to get to
the top? (assume there is no energy lost to friction)
d) b & c required the same amount of work
e) none of the above answers
Which box required more work to get to the
top?
c) same amount of work for both
d) not enough information
The following questions are to be used for
the summative assessment. The colored
boxes show which of the previous questions
they are related to.
You can also find all of the summative
assessment questions in the Summative
Assessment File
A ball starts at the top of a ramp, rolls down,
and then up another ramp to the same
height. Which of the following is true about the
total energy of the ball?
a)
b)
c)
d)
it gained energy and then lost it
it used up its energy
both (a) and (b)
the total energy stayed the same
Sara finds a large rock
that is sitting still. She
pushes it to the top of
the hill. Which
statement best
describes this?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
It took energy to get the rock up the hill.
The rock has more energy than when it started
The rock did not gain any energy.
both (a) & (b)
both (a) & (c)
Which ball required the most work to get to
the top? (assume there is no energy lost to friction)
c) same amount of work for both
d) not enough information